CofE's first female Bishop and what business is it of yours?

It cannot have escaped your notice that the Church of England have just appointed their first female bishop. Details can be found here, here or at any other newspaper you prefer. Rev'd Libby Lane has been promoted to the vacant post in the See of Stockport. Greater Manchester will no doubt see this as something of a coup, maintaining it's reputation as a liberal, progressive region. Two comments from opposite ends of the spectrum can be found here (by the Archbishop Cranmer blog) and here (from Reformation 21).

As I commented here, quite the cause of the hoopla is beyond me. Irrespective of my own position on the matter, I can entirely understand the internal machinations of Anglicanism determining this as "a time for change". I can fully comprehend those within the church wishing to see their own personal views worked out within the church itself. I can also understand the strength of feeling on both sides of the debate and the difficulties this will cause to those currently within Anglicanism who do not share the view this marks a momentous step forward. I can even grasp why those Christians outside the Anglican church would take an interest on the basis that which affects Anglicanism will affect the rest of Christendom. The idea that the little Independent Evangelical Church will in no way be affected by the decisions from within the Anglican communion is nonsense.

However, what I cannot get my head around is the desire of people outside the Anglican church - those who have no attachment to Anglicanism, involvement in other denominations who will face knock-on effects, nor even identify as Christian - who insist upon a say in church matters. It seems such people believe a church to which they don't belong, which they deemed an irrelevance long ago and for whom their decisions will have not the slightest effect on their life, ought to do what they want. It is the ecclesiastical equivalent of a Spaniard, who has never left Spain and has no link to the UK, insisting on the right to determine Home Office policy in Britain. They neither suffer nor benefit from the decision, they have no right to make that decision and yet they insist their voice must be heard in the decision-making process and, more than that, should prevail above all. Maybe I am missing something but, to me at least, it seems totally crackers!

I have no doubt there are strong, and probably majority, voices pressing for such changes within Anglicanism. Such are entitled to their position. For those less inclined to the new direction, they too are entitled to voice their views and (certainly now) face a decision as to whether to remain within the communion or to jump ship. But, of course, the predominant fanfare has come from neither of these quarters. Much has come from the mainstream media and those with little to no connection to the church, or Christianity, at all. 

At last, those underrepresented voices - the many who neither identify as Anglican, have any love for the church nor belong to other denominations for whom such decisions have knock-on effects - can rest safe in the knowledge that an institution for which they ordinarily care not one jot has finally come into line with their views. What a relief this news will be for them!

Manchester is the most linguistically diverse city in Europe

Here is an interesting article in today's Guardian, especially for those of us resident in Manchester. 

Apparently, Manchester is the most linguistically diverse city in Europe and is second only to New York in the world. Linguists at University of Manchester have discovered at least 153 different languages spoken in the city, with Prof. Yaron Matras suggesting the true figure could be even higher.

It is reported that a variety of rare languages are spoken in the city including Chitrali from northern Pakistan, Konkani from western India, Dagaare from Ghana, and Uyghur from north-western China. The city also attracts increasing numbers of European citizens. 

Around two-thirds of Mancunian schoolchildren are bilingual and, with a population of half a million - a fraction the size of London - Manchester clearly punches above its weight in terms of number of languages spoken.

It is often stated, with little more than anecdotal backing, that the world is on Manchester's doorstep. Yet here is the proof that those who make such casual remarks so desperately hoped existed. Much more importantly, what a spur this should be to all Christians in the Manchester area.

God has presented us with a unique opportunity to reach plethora of linguistic groups and cultures. What better way to 'make disciples of all nations' than by reaching those nations and linguistic groups on our doorstep? How much more likely are such people to return to their own countries and share the gospel there, having first heard it in Manchester? How many countries and cultures would be positively affected by the gospel if we, in Manchester, made a concerted effort to reach the various nationalities in this city?

Praise God for this unique chance to share the gospel with all the world without having to leave the confines of our own city! Let's just make sure we don't squander the opportunity. The world may have come to us but of what value is that if, far from going into 'all the world', we can't even be bothered to make it into our own city?